Scholarship Program (1997/1998)for (r)

Subject: Scholarship Program (1997/1998)for Burmese Students.
Open Society Institute
Regional Scholarship Programs (1997/1998)
Supplementary Grant Program - Burma
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
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The Supplementary Grant Program - Burma (SGPB) was established in
1994 to address primarily -- but not exclusive -- the needs of Burmese
refugee students whose college education was subsequently disrupted as a
result of their active participation in the pro-democracy movement of
1988. The goal of the program is to enable students presently studying to
complete their education, as well as to assist students just begining
their academic careers.
Grant will be given to students who not only meet the program
criteria but who are willing and likely to return to Burma to work for
the democratic and economic rebirth of the country.
The program is designed to provide supplemental funds to students
who are enrolled in academic programs in accredited colleges,
universities, and community colleges. Limited funding is avaliable for
students who are enrolled in accredited English as a Second Language
Programs and high school.
This program provides funding for up to one year of study.
Students who receive funding for the 1996/1997 academic year must reapply
for subsequent years. Re- application procedures will be outlined in the
1997/1998 application form (page 1-8).
NOTE: Students who received funding in 1996/97 and wish to apply for
funding in 1997/98 academic year must complete and submit a new
application form (page 1-8). All applications will be reviewed and
screened based on the criteria listed below.
The Supplement Grants will be provided in three different categories:
1. Tuitio and fees - not to exceed 50% of tuition per course;
2. Living expenses - students who have succeeded in funding their
tuition, either through scholarships or their own financial means, will
be eligible for additional housing and living funds;
3. Other - students who have secured all necessary funds but cannot
afford additional expenses, such as books, materials health insurance,
transportation to and from the school, will be eligible for additional funds.
PROGRAM CATEGORIES
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A. Full-time Study Program.
This category provides funding for students who are enrolled in full time
study at an accredited college, university or community college leading
to a degree (BA< MA< etc.). Funding will be provided for two semesters
during the 1997/98 academic year.
B. English as s Second Language Study Program.
In this category, prefernce will be given to students who have received
conditional admissions at an accredited college or university. This
category will provide support for up to one semester of intensive English
Language Training at an accredited college, university of community college.
C. High School Study Program.
This category provides funding for students who are enrolled in full time
study at a public high school.
In no case may an applicant request grant assistance for support of an
accompanying child or spouse.
Critieria of Eligibility
------------------------
Following are the guidelines and requirements students must meet to
apply. Also attached is an application which must be completed in full
and returned to address indicated.
1. Candidate must be a Burmese national.
2. ONLY those students who have already been awarded partial or full
tuition, room and board scholarships, or other types of financial
commitment (family support, part-time job, etc.) may apply. Applicants
MUST provide the fullest possible account of their actual financial
situation. Statements discovered to be false will result in immediate
disqualification.
IMPORTANT:
3. AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION STUDENTS MUST BE LIVING IN THE COUNTRY
IN WHICH THEY WANT TO STUDY.
4. CANDIDATE MAY NOT BE YOUNGER THAN 18 (15 FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL
STUDY PROGRAM) OR OLDER THAN 40 YEARS AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION, EXCEPT
UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
5. CANDIDATE MUST BE PROFICIENT IN SPOKEN AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE OF
THE HOST COUNTRY AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION ( EXCEPT FOR ESL PROGRAM).
6. GRANTS MONIES WILL BE DISBURSED PENDING PROOF OF ENROLLMENT FOR
FALL 1997.
Students are selected in an open competition announced once a year.
Students apply according to specific OSI guidelines. A team of U.S.
experts (SGP Board) makes the decisions on awards, based on the quality
of application, written essay, and academic record. Decision of the SGP
Board are final.
No late applications will be considered. There will be no exceptions to
the rule.
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED INFORMATION
Please include one copy of the following documents with your completed
application:
1. A copy of the official letter of admission from the admitting
institution (if not available, explain why);
2. Copies of all previous school transcripts (if applicable and/or
available);
3. The official letter informing you of the details of the
scholarship or financial aid award (if separate from the above);
4. Copies of documentations issued by immigration or police
authorities (e.g humanitarians parole, public interest parole, refugee,
J-1, etc.).
5. Copy of you passport, visa or other I.D. (if available; if no
documents are available, please attach a short explanation).
6. Two reference letters: one from an academic advisor (including
information on other funds that the student receiveds from their school)
and the other from the student's sponsor.
NOTE: The omission of one or more of the documents mentioned above will
render your application incomplete and result in delay or possible
disqualification. In the event that a document becomes avaliable only
after you sumbit your application, please indicate it on your application
and send it as soon as it becomes avaliable.
Please include in your application any additional information you feel
may helpful in the evaluation of your case, such as letters of
recommendation by responsible adults who know you well.
Participants will be required to maintain student status through the time
of the grant.
Participants will be required to abide by all the terms and conditions of
the grant as outlined in a contract letter to be signed by the grantee.
It is in your interest to inform us in writing IMMEDIATELY of any change
of address.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
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March 15, 1997 - if you are studying in Asia.
.............................................
Students in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, etc.) should
mail their applications and additional required material to:
Ms Sharada Nayak
Educational Resources Centre
D-41 Sujan Singh Park
NewDelhi 110003
INDIA
Students in Southeast Asia (including Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and
Australia) should mail their applications and additional required
materails to:
Education Project
Coordinator
P.O. Box 145
Chorakhebua P.O.
Bangkok 10230
THAILAND.
May 15, 1997 if you are studying in North America.
..................................................
Students in the United States and Canada should mail their applications
and additional required materials to:
Open Society Institute
Supplementary Grant Program - Burma
888 7th Avenue, Suite 3100
New York, NY 10106
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1996/1997
Regional Scholarship Programs
Supplementary Grant Program - Burma
APPLICATION FORM
Use black ink.
Type or print legibly.
All questions MUST be answered.
Please do NOT staple papers together.
All applications must be completed in English.
Submit all information on letter size - 8 1/2"X11".
All information will be treated with strict confidence.
WERE YOU PREVIOUSLY AWARDED AN SGP GRANT?
YES__________ IN 1994/95__________ IN 1995/96___________ IN 1996/97__________
NO___________
GENERAL INFORMATION
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First Name Last (Sur) Name Other Name(s)
Date of Birth (day/month/year) Ethnic Group (Karen, Mon, Burman etc.)
Father's Name Mother's Name
Gender: Female Male
Marital Status: Single Married Separated
Spouse's Name
Date of leaving Buma:
Immigration Status in country of current residence:
Social Security Number (if applicable):
Present Address:
Number and Street Apartment Number
City/State Zip (Postal) Code Country
Telephone Fax Number
E-mail
Person to contact in case of emergency:
Name: Relationship:
Telephone (hime): Telephone (work):
Do you have medical insurance: Yes No
If Yes, give name and address of insurer:
Sponsor Information:
Name: Telephone Number:
Address:
Plase include any letter of recommendation, if available.
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
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I have ______ Appiled to the follwoing university/college:
------ Been accepted in the following university/college:
Program of study/name of course:
State whether the course is:
a. Full Time b. Part Time
c. Undergraduate d.Postgraduate
University/College address:
Where applicable, school official with whom you have corresponded at the
school (incidate title):
Telephone: Fax:
Date of commencement of course:
Expected year of completion of course:
EDUCATION BACKGROUND
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Highest education level completed in Burma:
Name of School:
City: Major:
Degree (if completed): Number of years of study:
Highest educational level completed outside Burma:
Name of School:
City: Major:
Degree (if complete): Number of years of study:
PROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
--------------------------------------
Language of the country where you are or will be studying:
Language of instruction at the school where you are or will be studying:
Rate your language of instruction ability for the following:
1- excellent: 2- very good 3- fair 4- poor
------ Reading comprehension
------ Listening comprehension
------ Ability to write
If you have taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam
or any other test of English language, or the language of instruction at
the school you are attending, please include a photocopy of your test
result and indicate the following:
Name of Test Date Location Score
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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All applicants must disclose all other financial support. Failure to
comply will result in immediate disqualification.
Eligible candidates may request assistance for tuition (not exceed 50% of
tuition per course), living expenses, medical insurance, books or other
academic materials, and transportation to and from the school.
What are your costs?
Please attach copies of your lease/dorm expenses and receipts for
textbooks for the most recent/current year.
* Tuition fees (per year):
* Housing costs (per year):
(If shared rent, put down only your constribution)
* Living expenses (per year):
(I f shared, put down only your constribution or costs):
Other expenses:
TOTAL:
What assistance do you have already receive?
$0 (zero) makes you ineligible for this scholarship.
* Amount of Tuition Scholarship/Waiver:
* Amount of Room and Board Scholarship/Waiver:
* Other assistance, including state benefits and personal funds:
TOTAL PROVIDED BY OTHER SOURCES:
(You must show other support to be eligible for a SGPB scholarship.)
TOTAL AMOUNT REQUIRED:
WORK HISTORY
------------
>From month/year To month/year Employer Type of Work
ESSAYS
------
1. What are your educational or career goals? (Add additional sheet of
paper if necessary.).
2. How do you plan to use your experience studying abroad when you return
to Burma? (Add additional sheet of paper if necessary).
3. Write a brief description of your life in Burma (Add additional sheet
of paper if necessary.)
4. What have you done in the last two years to help Burma become a more
open society?
5. How have you worked to educate people in the country of your current
residence about Burma?
I hereby acknowledge that the information I have provided here is true
and correct. I understand that any willful misrepresentation of the facts
may result in disqualification.
Signature: Date:
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DISTRIBUTION OF GRANTS OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAM-
BURMA IN 1997/98 WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
5 Grants for High School Students (North America)
5 Grants for ESL Students (North America)
25 Grants for University/Colledge Students in North America)
30 Grants for Students in Asia.
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